Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

Everybody seems to be interested or using some facial oils. Here's a comparison of 6 non-cleansing ones that are <$70.Tada!

For reference I have dry combination skin in the winter and used ~3-4 drops for my face. I have oily combination skin in the summer and this is a tad too heavy/moisturizing for me so I use gel cream. The smell for all of them kind of disappears after they absorb. From least to most hydrating/heavy:

Fresh Seaberry Oil: very thin, liquidy and lightweight. Have a slightly herbal scent. Sinks in fast but leaves almost nothing on the top layer, so it's not very protective but it doesn't interfere with anything else you plan to put on. Great for dehydrated oily/combo skin or as a serum for dry skin. It is an oil blend and contains fragrance. =/

Dr. Dennis Gross Active Vitamin D Serum-oil: it has a thin gooey oil texture and takes a bit longer than Seaberry to sink in. It is great for hydration but not really for anti-aging (my tiny under eye wrinkle that appears every night did not disappear the next morning. It usually does if I use an anti-aging serum like Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Dior One Essential or Lancome). It has a slight citrus-lemon scent. It's not really an oil since the first ingredient is Squalane (a moisturizer) then soybean seed extract. It does have retinol and glycolic acid, so if you have an issue with either of those active ingredients, I suggest you google around a bit or get a sample before buying.

(New comer!) Boscia Tsubaki oil: ohhh, very light floral scent. It's thin and spreads easily, so you can apply sparingly if you don't need much. But it doesn't sink in and disappear completely like Seaberry, so it's a bit protective, too. However, it is not as thick or make the skin feel as plump/sturdy as Maracuja. Buuut, the light floral scent won over the potato chip scent of Tarte Maracuja. True to advertisement, the 1st ingredient is camelia/tsubaki oil, followed by other oils and extracts (no chemical/fragrance/problems from a quick skim of ingredients, all seems to be good stuff).

(New addition!) Marula oil: very mild herbal scent. The thickness is between Boscia Tsubaki and Tarte Maracuja, but honestly the difference is so subtle that it doesn't really matter between these 3 oil (unlike if you were to compare Fresh Seaberry and Argan oil). It's a bit thicker than Tsubaki but spreads/sinks in just as easily. It claims to be 99% marula with 1% essential oil blend, no fragrance or active ingredients there. The only possible problem is if you are severely allergic to lavender, which is the very last ingredient for Marula and Tsubaki oil, otherwise it's all good stuff.

Tarte Maracuja Oil: slightly thicker than Seaberry like Vit D serum-oil. It feels smooth going on rather than that thin greasy oily feel. Takes a bit longer to sink in and smells like potato chips oil (cooking oil). Unlike Seaberry that disappears, this makes the skin feel a tad more plump/sturdy/moisturized after it sinks in. It is advertised as 100% organic maracuja oil, so that's that.

Argan Oil: a tad thicker than Maracuja with a more gooey consistency, feels velvety on the face and takes the longest to sink in (but less than 1-2min). Great for dry skin or even combo skin in the winter. It doesn’t have much of a scent. If this feels too thick to rub onto face and tugs, try putting a couple drops into the palm, rub them together to warm it up and press onto face. 100% organic argan oil.

Nude ProGenius: The consistency is as thick as Argan oil, but once you rub it in the skin, it feels thicker like cream where it feels like it left a velvety protective layer on the skin. It doesn't feel as hydrating/penetrating as other oils, but if you have problem with oils disappearing after a couple hours, this will stay and work well as a top/final layer to seal the serum/hydration stuff underneath. While this feel quite luxe, it does have that no.2 pencil (lead) smell. It's quite a blend with some common cheap oils (corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil) but mostly a lot of exotic(ish) oils and trace amount of alcohol (since it's one of the last ingredients).

You can definitely use oil regardless of if you have oily/normal dehydrated skin or dry skin, and they do not cause/worsen/irritate my acne. They hydrate well and sink in well as long as you apply sparingly. They are good for preventive/first sign anti-aging or de-hydration wrinkles. For anything more, an actual anti-aging serum will provide more benefit (Murad, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Dior One Essential).

If you have any question about oils listed above, let me know (through PM) and I will check.

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

Nude ProGenius. Most of the time people use oil instead of moisturizer, but if you find it sink in/disappears pretty fast, then apply a layer of moisturizer on top to seal it in. If you have extremely dry skin, also make sure you are using the right/hydrating cleanser, toner and serum.

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

@Heatoyos1, does the scent bother you? I have Caudalie Divine oil, but it's a spray and most website descriptions says it's for body rather than face, so I've been tentative about trying it on my face. But if it works for you, then I will give it a try, lol.

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

I actually enjoy the scent, but could see how it might bother others. I feel that way about the Seaberry scent, at least when I tried the lotion.

Heh heh, looking at the instructions on how to use it, Sephora recommends applying it to the cheekbones. However, I apply it to my entire face, and have no problems with breakouts or anything. It is listed as noncomedogenic, so that's also why I thought it could be used on the face.

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

That's a great analysis. I am no good when it comes to the understanding of ingredients. Do you think there is something in Nude pro genius oil that can cause allergic reaction? I hardly ever get bad reaction to any skin care product, but when I used Nude oil on my neck for a couple of days, it gave me some irritation and the skin of my neck felt itchy. Needless to say I didn't attempt to use it for 3rd time

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

It is possible to get a bad reaction to any ingredient or sometimes you might be fine with individual product but get a reaction from a bad combination. If you get itchy, it might be too heavy for you, or you might be allergic to one of the more exotic/fancy oil/extract in it. Yeah, don't use it for a 3rd time, maybe use up the rest on your hand/nails etc since I have not heard of nails ever having allergic reaction. =X

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

It did me too @fatimamummy. It's crazy b/c I can use the NUDE sleeping mask, but I have 2 perk bottles (1st basically full, used it twice) of this NUDE oil & it was a negative. Did the same thing to me & I think might have clogged a CPL of mores

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

It felt so ridiculous to have an itchy neck but I was happy too that I hadn't try it on my face because I have oily skin and it felt a bit heavy as compared to Boscia Tsubaki oil which I use now and then,that's why I tried it on my neck.

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

bahahahaha! Don't feel ridiculous, I have had an itchy neck more than once ! I et a bunch of ppl have. hehe

My skin is been dry as the desert since it got super cold w/ the indoor heat ( & everything else my skin "thinks" I will allow it to do). My face/ neck has been slightly itchy (enough to bother me), & I am using the same o'l ta' do I have been : Algenist Oil & REN moisturizer. Maybe I nee to change something sooner than later (have about finished the REN, but got my new moisturizer for redness from Clinique this afternoon). I let you know 2morr if I experienced and itchy face/ or neck

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

I have been using Jose Maran 100% argan oil for over a year now. I was considering trying the seaberry. I have oily/combo skin but it can feel tight & dry on my cheeks in winter even after applying the oil but I may be using it too sparingly. I like the feel & the smell.

I love this review. I think after reading all these I think I will stick with the argan oil.

Seaberry oil is just a mix of common oils doesnt seem like a good value & probably a downgrade from argan.

I had also considered the maracuja oil but I dont want to smell like potato chips.

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

Boscia and Marula are similar in thickness to Maracuja, besides, the potato chip scent doesn't stay, lol. It disappears when you apply it, it's just noticeable in the bottle. There is also a Lite version of Argan Oil you can try. Enjoy! =)

Re: Facial oil comparison/break down (moisturizer kind)

im using the trate, JM, and Nude progenius oil. My fav has to be the nude bc it healed my dry skin. I recently have large patches of dry skin (flaky, so it was hard to apply foundation) below my chin and it was so painful to smile. After using my clarisonic i massaged the oil into my dry skin and it became instantly smooth. The next morning my dry patches was gone!